Dillmann, di Grassi and Bird among those penalized on the grid in Riyadh

Several drivers were penalized after qualifying for the Riyadh ePrix in Saudi Arabia.

Published on 15/12/2018 à 12:50

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Dillmann, di Grassi and Bird among those penalized on the grid in Riyadh

The final starting grid for the Riyadh ePrix in Saudi Arabia has been significantly modified compared to the provisional qualifying results. Main loser, the French Tom Dillmann (NIO), qualified second, but who was sanctioned for not having respected the number of possible flying laps in qualifying, set at two maximum.

Dillmann saw all his times canceled and will therefore start from the back of the grid. Other drivers penalized at the end of this session, Sam Bird and Robin Frijns (Virgin Racing), guilty of having exceeded the maximum authorized power, just like Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler) et Oliver Rowland (Nissan e.dams), all these drivers thus losing their best lap and falling down the rankings.

Audi Sport ABT and Virgin Racing indicated that the overtaking occurred while passing a bump.

Lucas’ fastest lap in qualifying was canceled after a power overshoot hitting a bump. No performance gain, but were not perfectly sorted out due to difficult and changing conditions this morning. Will give everything to fight back in the race

— Audi Formula E (@audiformulae) December 15, 2018

Oliver Turvey (NIO) lost all his times, a sensor being missing on his car, an infraction also noted on Tom Dillmann's car.

Antonio Felix da Costa (BMW i Andretti) will therefore start in pole position ahead of José Maria Lopez (Dragon Racing), while Sébastien Buemi (Nissan e.dams) and Stoffel Vandoorne (HWA Racelab) sharing the second row.

Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Techeetah) moves up to fifth position and will start ahead of Jérôme d’Ambrosio (Mahindra Racing) and André Lotterer (DS Techeetah). Felipe Massa (Venturi) moves up to 12th place.

Detailed attack mode

The FIA has also confirmed the terms of activation of the famous Attack mode, which will offer additional power to drivers (225 kW, compared to 200 kW). They will be able to arm the mode a maximum of five times, with two possible activations. Each activation will allow you to use the mode for 240 seconds.